Food for Thought--Cleveland State Community College "The Next 50 Years"

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Name:Food for Thought--Cleveland State Community College "The Next 50 Years"

Date:March 23, 2017

Time:12:00 PM - 12:00 PM EDT

Registration:Sorry, registration for this event has been closed. Please call the Chamber office at 423-472-6587.

Event Description:

Dr. Bill Seymour, president of Cleveland State Community College, will lead a team of colleagues in a presentation at 2017’s first quarterly “Food for Thought” membership luncheon on Thursday, March 23, at noon at the Chamber of Commerce.

The Cleveland State team will talk about the 50th anniversary of the community college and plans for the next 50 years.

Influential individuals and local organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, supported the campaign to establish a site in Cleveland in the early ’60s once the state decided to establish three community colleges in Tennessee. Following a successful campaign, Cleveland State became a major force in the community in a short time. Enrollment increased steadily, and new course offerings and degree programs were added continually to meet the needs of both students and area business and industry. Skilled and community-oriented instructors were drawn to the challenges of a new concept in education as well as the opportunity of working in an attractive area.

Seymour, who became Cleveland State president in 2014, will lead the discussion about the 50th anniversary of the college, along with recent developments and future plans to increase its viability in the community.

A strong proponent of community colleges, Seymour believes in their mission.

“I think community colleges are fulfilling a need that is essential to our society and economy,” he says. “I like the idea that we provide an opportunity for everybody. Being an open-door college is both a challenge and a blessing that is exciting. We can give every student an opportunity for an education and a future. Not all schools can say that.”